Dell, which has long been searching for an answer to Apple's iPhone and iPod touch handhelds, is reportedly in the intermediate development stages of a new pocket-sized gadget that will let users access the Internet on the go.

The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday cited two people familiar with the matter as saying the device will run Google's open Android software and possibly employ ARM-based microchips similar to those currently found in Apple's multi-touch handhelds.

Dell reportedly began developing the gadget last year with the help of engineers that were once tasked with conceiving a direct rival to the iPod. That project was aborted, and the Journal noted that there's no certainty that the electronics maker's latest efforts to develop a mobile internet device (MID) won't be similarly "delayed or scrapped entirely."

Still, Dell is said to be exploring the idea of marketing its embryonic MID with the help of wireless carriers who would presumably supply the device with 3G or other connectivity. Those carriers would likely subsidize the cost of the gadget alongside lengthy service agreements.

People familiar with the project told the Journal that Dell would ideally begin selling its new MID, which is slightly larger than an iPod touch, later this year alongside a series of mobile handsets that will also run Android software.

It's like the race to the moon. Who will get there first- Apple or Dell?

Pocket-sized. So, Apple. 2 years ago.

It's a much better move for Dell to try the pocketable computer business than the music player business or the phone business. Hopefully they use the design teams that have been turning out their Studio products. You know, the ones who are at least trying.

It's a much better move for Dell to try the pocketable computer business than the music player business or the phone business. Hopefully they use the design teams that have been turning out their Studio products. You know, the ones who are at least trying.

What I'm saying is that Apples iPhone/iPod approach is hard to beat because it offers up choice to the purchaser. That is why if Apple comes out with a larger tablet / iPod, one of the best thing they could do is make the device with an expansion slot for the RF modem if the user wants it.

As to Dell hardware isn't the problem, state of the art software is. In that regards I don't think Android will cut the mustard.

Dell's business model needs to change to differentiate themselves from their competitors. Perhaps this is one step on the way to doing this.

Dell's entire attitude/priorities about design, software, engineering . . . pretty much everything across the board, has to change. And it all starts with what is going through everyone's head at design/engineering roundtable discussions. So far, it seems to have been a lot of tumbleweed and wind whistling through empty spaces.

Dell is so far behind Apple even in terms of sheer ability to conceptualize "new" and "compelling" that it isn't even funny. Dell is a follower. And they're about to slide below Acer, to boot.

Dell's entire attitude/priorities about design, software, engineering . . . pretty much everything across the board, has to change. And it all starts with what is going through everyone's head at design/engineering roundtable discussions. So far, it seems to have been a lot of tumbleweed and wind whistling through empty spaces.

Dell is so far behind Apple even in terms of sheer ability to conceptualize "new" and "compelling" that it isn't even funny. Dell is a follower. And they're about to slide below Acer, to boot.

MARK my words here
it will fit in a lab coat pocket
so 8"x6"
It will be a tablet .all glass all touch
It will be just like a mini air < no dvd >
I will have 1 cpu chip and 2 gpu chips
It will run on full mac os
It will thought of as a large touch
It will make skype phone calls

MARK my words here
it will fit in a lab coat pocket
so 8"x6"
It will be a tablet .all glass all touch
It will be just like a mini air < no dvd >
I will have 1 cpu chip and 2 gpu chips
It will run on full mac os
It will thought of as a large touch
It will make skype phone calls

Let see another device to add to your pocket, along with a phone and ipod/MP3, Camera and PSP or DS if you have not gone to an iphone of itouch.

So Dell solution is to make another device so you have to carry more with you. I am sorry am I missing something here or does Dell know something that the rest of us are missing.

Having an iPhone in the house is starting me to questions why a need a laptop around.... the iPhone is doing more and more of the things my laptop does for me and weighs less.

This.

We're moving toward a place where everything is consolidated on one deivce, and that "one device" is getting better and better at all functions - phone, web, games, e-mail, online services, notifications, apps, games, music, etc.

To release a handheld that is supposed to be an "internet device" without phone functionality (when we already have an amazing "internet device" WITH phone functionality) is just silly.

Dell has had the metallic and black look with a blackbordered screen for like 6 years. Even the cheap black plastic on the back of the iMac couldn't be more Dellish. Dell has had that black backed look like forever. And Dell had the glossy look first.

Dell has had the metallic and black look with a blackbordered screen for like 6 years. Even the cheap black plastic on the back of the iMac couldn't be more Dellish. Dell has had that black backed look like forever.

Dell has had the metallic and black look with a blackbordered screen for like 6 years. Even the cheap black plastic on the back of the iMac couldn't be more Dellish. Dell has had that black backed look like forever. And Dell had the glossy look first.

Dell has had the metallic and black look with a blackbordered screen for like 6 years. Even the cheap black plastic on the back of the iMac couldn't be more Dellish. Dell has had that black backed look like forever. And Dell had the glossy look first.

teck - You say a lot of outrageous things around here, to be sure. I chalk most of up to light-hearted flaming. But to say Apple is taking their design cues from Dell is really just beyond the scope of sanity. Are you for real?

Dell has had the metallic and black look with a blackbordered screen for like 6 years. Even the cheap black plastic on the back of the iMac couldn't be more Dellish. Dell has had that black backed look like forever. And Dell had the glossy look first.

Oh God...

iPhone 4S 64GB, Black, soon to be sold in favor of a Nokia Lumia 920Early 2010 MacBook Pro 2.4GHz, soon to be replaced with a Retina MacBook Pro, or an Asus U500

it better be a lot cheaper than the iphone, which is pretty hard to do or a lot better

you can make a valid argument over buying a $600 Dell/HP laptop over a MacBook Pro. but the iphone is the same price or cheaper than most of the data/web cell phones. and since most of the cost is the monthly service Dell is in a real bind here especially with a $99 8GB 3G iphone being on sale

I don't see how the marketing executives of these companies think that they can make a better portable pocket-sized device than Apple. Look at the facts - they're starting years late, Android software still doesn't match OSX portable, apps/usability. In terms of engineering, It's true apple haven't always used the best components on the market, but the thing is the software always runs well on the components they use. Hardware assembled, and software written by Apple in unison has made it work.